Chapter 1

My boyfriend, Edward Langley, was left disabled and stuck in a wheelchair for five years, all because he risked everything to save me.

Guilt gnawed at me, so I stayed by his side, taking on every crappy job I could find. Every penny I earned was spent on him.

Until one day, while I was doing the cleaning in a luxury store, I saw Edward walk in. He looked fine, with no limp, and was buying an extravagant handbag for a woman I didn't know.

The luxurious designer bag hung on the woman's slender wrist, and Edward gazed at her with adoration, pressing a tender kiss on her cheek.

"As long as you like it, I'm willing to buy you the most expensive bag," Edward said.

"I want a bag like that, too. You gonna buy me one?" I teased.

My voice trembled, and Edward looked sharply at me as he replied, "Sophia, I can explain."

I saw the global haute couture suit Edward was wearing, and the Rolex on his wrist.

I glanced down at my own filthy cleaning uniform, the mop and rag clutched in my hands, and couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

"Explain what? Explain why you can walk without a wheelchair? Or explain why you became so rich?" I snapped.

Edward's brows drew together with worry, but I ignored it and immediately pulled out my phone, dialing the hospital.

The doctor picked up, sounding as impatient as ever. "Ms. Carter, how many times do I have to say it? Edward's leg is a nerve issue. It's not going to heal any time soon," he spat.

"Also, this month's bill is due," he added bluntly. "Don't forget to come in and pay."

Once, I would've done whatever the doctor told me, no questions asked. Now, all I could do was let out a cold laugh at this shameless scammer.

Now it all made sense. Edward always refused my suggestions to visit a public hospital specialist. They had been in on it together, deceiving me from the start.

Suppressing the rage boiling inside me, I threw the rag at him and pressed, "Did it make you happy, watching me slave away every day, delivering food, cleaning, and picking up trash every day?"

The thought of how much I had suffered over these five years to earn money for his treatment made my tears flood uncontrollably.

"Your outfit alone is worth more than three million dollars. Why the hell did you lie to me?" I screamed.

Blinded by rage, I snatched up the mop and hurled it straight at Edward.

Edward moved fast, grabbing the mop out of the air and seizing my wrist in a vise-like grip. "Sophia, stop making a scene. Let's talk about this at home," he said.

"Like hell I'm going anywhere with you," I yelled, wrenching my arm free from his grasp. Fury took over. I slapped him hard across the face without a second thought.

My slap rang out, sharp and clear. Everyone around us went silent, staring in shock.

Edward clutched his cheek, and for a split second, I caught a glimmer of guilt in those deep eyes of his.

He didn't bother to explain anymore, but replied in a low, steady voice, "I'll return all the money you paid, and there will be extra on top as compensation."

That was it. Five years of my life with all the sacrifices and pain, and he treated it like nothing at all. Not a single apology in sight.

My rage hit the roof. Before I even knew what I was doing, I snatched up the grimy bucket by my feet and hurled the filthy water right at Edward.

With a loud splash, the once aloof and noble Edward suddenly turned into a bedraggled, dripping mess.

Edward kept rubbing his eyes, trying to clear the sting of the dirty water. My eyes burned with unshed tears as raw from hurt as his.

I was about to step forward to help wipe him clean when my hair was suddenly yanked hard from behind.

At the same time, the sharp heel of a stiletto struck me, and a shrill female voice rang in my ear, "Edward, how could you let this shrew bully you?"

She yanked my hair even harder, ripping it out of my head. Tears streamed down my face from the blazing pain.

But instead of prying her hand from my hair, Edward rushed over and pulled her into his arms, acting like she was the victim here. "Baby, let me take care of this. Don't worry," he said.

The woman yanked even harder, refusing to let go. She spat, "I won't let her scream at you like that."

Edward kept comforting her, kissing her on the forehead and murmuring soft words. Finally, after a bit more of her whining, she let go of my hair.

She bossed her way right up to me, and a smirk plastered across her face. "So, you're Sophia Carter?" she asked.

I was floored. How did she even know who I was?

She spat out a mocking laugh, then shot Edward a triumphant look. "Told you women like her are always more trouble than you think, but you wouldn't listen," she said.

She snatched a towel from a nearby staff member and tossed it over Edward's shoulders, fussing over him and wiping him down as if she were his wife.

While tidying him up, she complained in a delicate, coquettish tone, "Edward, it should have been a few weeks of fun, but you dragged it out for five years. Now, this shrew has latched onto you."

After speaking, she even ruffled Edward's hair like scolding a naughty puppy.

Edward allowed her to fuss over him, but his eyes darted uneasily toward me.

Suddenly, the truth smacked me right in the face. I was just their plaything, a bet, something for Edward and that spoiled heiress to toy with and discard whenever it amused them.

Seeing my face go pale, the woman walked over with a sweet, almost mocking smile. "Sophia, I'm Olivia Sterling. Remember me?" she asked.

Suddenly, my mind snapped to attention. Olivia Sterling... Of course, I remembered her.

That day at the crash site, I watched as the medics crowded around Edward. My heart was in my throat, pulsing with anxiety.

Crushed by guilt and helplessness, I curled up on the curb, hugging my knees, and couldn't stop crying.

That's when Olivia emerged from her sleek luxury car.

She walked up and handed me a handkerchief and a bottle of water, gently patting my back, her eyes full of concern, asking if I was okay.

The lingering, mysterious scent of her expensive perfume somehow helped settle my nerves.

I threw myself into her arms, sobbing as I spilled everything.

I told her how, just as that runaway car was speeding toward the sidewalk, Edward had shoved me out of the way at the very last moment.

I only tumbled into a flower bed, while Edward had his leg run over. The pain was so bad that he blacked out right there in the street.

Olivia comforted me for what felt like forever, then slipped me her business card and said, "I know some great orthopedic doctors. If you ever need anything, give me a call."

Even through all my tears, the name on that card stayed in my mind. But with everything that happened, I somehow lost it in chaos.

To me, Olivia was like an angel. Her kindness left an unforgettable mark on my memory.

Now, staring at Olivia's beautiful yet scornful face, I felt dazed.

So in the end, I was nothing but her personal clown, just something for her to mock and toy with.

"Sophia, quit the drama and get out of here unless you want to make an even bigger fool of yourself," Olivia sneered.

Edward watched in silence, eyes filled with indifference as Olivia tore me down.

"Edward saved your life. You owe him everything you've done. It was fair and square trade, so quit acting like you're a victim now," Olivia sneered.

She patted my cheek with her pale, delicate hand, then cast me a contemptuous glance. "So many women are after Edward, and someone as lowly as you made it. You've already gotten more than you deserve," Olivia sneered.